Designing Digital Outcomes PO6

Dave uses a range of electronics with the Y9-13 students he works with, from Micro:bit to powerful Arduino bespoke custom PCBs. The students prototype their remote controlled vehicles using a breadboard before making their own PCB and 3D printed body. He uses our breadboards, sensors, controllers and Hobby Wheels. Learning Developments even supply the remote.

Dave says, "working with Troy at Learning Developments is a pleasure.  He is able to source quality electronic components for my students’ projects and at very reasonable prices. Furthermore his educational and electronic knowledge is such that he is able to offer sound suggestions for project development which is always welcome. I would certainly recommend other teacher’s to get in touch with him regarding any STEM/STEAM based projects ideas you have."

Learning Developments have donated a number of items to Te Awamutu school as we know they get used and extend the students.  One of the students even took time to thanks us as you can see below:

"I am a year 13 electronics student of Mr Smith's at Te Awamutu college. I would like to thank you on behalf of the many students that received new an interesting piece of technology. I know, within my friend group alone, we will be able to make good use of it to power our projects and create various things from the range of things gifted to the school.

Sincerely,

A future electrical engineer"

JUNKBOTS

In conjunction with the Digital Technologies teacher at Morrinsville College, Troy has led a similar exercise for a class of Year 9's over the course of 10 weeks, 2-3 periods per week.  Building a Junkbot teaches kids about DC motor control, building up a breadboard circuit, designing and creating a stable chasis from easily found materials (try using items from the recycling bins), coding the Micro:bit to control the wheels and finally using their phones to control their Junkbots via bluetooth.  These Junkbots can be easily deconstructed and components can be used year after year with new groups.

The resources for this particular project can be found on our blog:

• Micro:Bit DC Motor Control

• Connecting your micro:bit to a phone or other bluetooth device

We haven't created an off-the-shelf kit for this project as we know your needs will differ depending on the ability of your class and your price points - you know your students best.  Do you want a kit you can reuse year after year? Or, would you like the students to keep their Junkbots at the end?  Can your class do basic soldering, or would plug-and-play breadboards work best?  We can put together a customised kit for you to integrate into your curriculum, so please get in touch to find out more.  We love hearing from our teachers and helping them grow the new generation of bright minds - that's why we're here.

Please contact us today! 

Dave teaches electronics at Te Awamutu College from year 9 to 13. He has a passion for making things and tinkering with electronics which helps to motivate his students.